Identify legal next steps

The steps you should take to handle estate matters, from distributing assets to dealing with real estate, are determined by whether or not your deceased loved one left a will, a trust, or neither of these.

Click the below link that corresponds with your situation:

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Next steps if the deceased left a will and a trust
Next steps if the deceased left a will and a trust

If your loved one left a will and a trust, there are a few ways to proceed.

Next steps if there is a will but no trust
Next steps if there is a will but no trust

Legally speaking, your primary goal may be to avoid probate, which can prove arduous and carry a hefty estate tax. It is possible that your loved one wrote a will that covered everything and/or did what was necessary to avoid probate.

settling affairsJennifer Goodmedical and legalComment